Tribune Taps Dana Zimmer To Lead Broadcast Distribution Efforts

CHICAGO, April 24, 2013—Tribune Company today announced the appointment of Dana Zimmer as President of Distribution for Tribune Broadcasting, overseeing distribution of the company’s broadcast and television content portfolio to the cable, satellite and telco industries. She will be responsible for the strategy, execution and day-to-day management of Tribune’s relationships with all of its distribution partners. Zimmer will assume her new duties May 13, and report to Peter Liguori, Tribune’s chief executive officer.

“Tribune has one of the most powerful distribution and marketing platforms in broadcasting, and Dana’s talent, creativity, and experience make her the perfect fit to lead our distribution efforts,” said Liguori. “Between our 23 local stations and superstation WGN America, we reach 80 percent of the country—more than 75 million homes. Dana understands our broadcast assets and the tremendous value they provide to content providers, advertisers and our distribution partners.”

Zimmer will be joining Tribune from NBCUniversal, where she has served as EVP/TV Networks Distribution since January, 2011. At NBCUniversal, Zimmer oversees key distribution deals for the company’s owned-and-operated stations and its cable networks, as well as distribution of its regional sports networks in more than a dozen markets. She also works with NBCUniversal’s Digital Distribution division to deliver digital services to the company’s TV Networks Distribution partners.

“I see tremendous potential in Tribune’s combination of local television stations, strong network affiliations, and the national reach of WGN America,” said Zimmer. “There is great opportunity for growth, especially as Tribune Studios begins generating high-quality original programming, and I am looking forward to maximizing the value of this incredible platform.”

Prior to NBCUniversal, Zimmer was EVP/Affiliate Sales and Marketing for Comcast Networks from 2005 through the Comcast acquisition of NBCUniversal in 2011. In this position she was responsible for affiliate sales, marketing, business development and national account distribution efforts for Comcast Networks. Before joining Comcast, Zimmer played an integral role on the launch teams that spearheaded the successful distribution efforts of YES Network and SportsNet New York, the very first team-owned regional sports networks in the country.

Kevin Connor, Tribune Broadcasting’s SVP/Affiliate Sales and Marketing, will report to Zimmer and work closely with her as the company negotiates key distribution agreements going forward. Connor has been with Tribune for more than 20 years and has held his current position since 2010.

“Kevin and Dana make a strong team—both are well-known and widely respected by cable, satellite and telco providers,” said Liguori. “They will be forceful advocates for the great distribution platform provided by our local station group and WGN America.”

Zimmer has long been recognized for excellence and leadership in the broadcast and cable industries, named one of the “Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Cable” by CableFAX for the past four years. In 2012, Women in Cable & Technology awarded her its top honor as a “Wonder Woman” and CableFAX inducted her into the Cable Sales Hall of Fame.

Zimmer received a Masters of Arts degree in Public Communication from American University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and Management from Syracuse University.